Swollen feet and legs - walking or not?

[Anonymous]

I walk to work - about 1.75 miles each way. Now that I have hit my 3rd trimester (34.5 weeks) my legs and feet have been swelling a lot and I am getting mixed reports about walking so much. Some people say its great, while others tell me to keep them elevated as much as possible.

Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

The walking is good exercise and I'd keep it up as long as you can. The blood flow can help reduce the swelling. But once you get to work, put your feet up as much as possible -- same thing at home.

[Anonymous]

I had one pregnancy with horrible swelling and eventually heel spurs because I was walking a long way to and from the metro on my way to work and back and one without a bit of swelling because I was home with my daughter and could keep my feet up. It made a huge difference and overall made the pregnancy much, much more comfortable.

PS...when you're off your feet make sure to keep flexing them and rolling your ankles, etc. to keep blood flowing.

[Anonymous]

i think it all relates to how your blood pressure is and whether or not you show any signs of pre=eclampsia..with baby #1 i was sooo swollen in the legs and feet and it turns out i got a massive case of pre-e at 36 wks..i'm now 35.5 wks with baby #2 and i have some swelling again too, always worse after being on my feet all day, but so far my BP is low and it's more ankle swelling (i can still wear my wedding ring) but the hands and face feel a bit puffy too..just double check with your doctor=i'm impressed you can walk that long, my braxton hicks kick in even on a one mile walk and i've had to reduce them! best of luck

[Anonymous]

If you can, go to a pool. Swimming, or just hanging out in deep water helps with swelling a lot. I did quite a bit of walking during my both pregnancies. With #1 I had terrible swelling of feet. With #2 not as much and I attribute it to swimming, which I didn't do with #1.

[Anonymous]

I also would suggest getting in a pool, if possible - that helped me tremendously with the swelling.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and perhaps try a bigger walking shoe? Walking is great, so I hope you can continue even if you cut back the distance a bit.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for all the advice.

I dont know that I have access to a pool right now, so swimming might out, but I definitely try to keep my feet elevated when possible.

My blood pressure has been on the high side at all my Dr appts, but then they usually have me lay down for a few mins and then take it again and its back to normal.

I guess I'll keep up the walking as much as I can, especially while the weather stays nice. After being used to working out 5+ times a week pre-pregnancy and putting on quite a few lbs, walking is basically the only exercise I get - I'd hate to give it up!

[Anonymous]

I have the same symptoms and have been drinking tons of water, walking every chance I get, and have low blood pressure but yet I'm still swollen in my feet/cankles, and hands. Has this happened or is happening to anyone else? If so, what else is there to do..besides giving birth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can, go to a pool. Swimming, or just hanging out in deep water helps with swelling a lot. I did quite a bit of walking during my both pregnancies. With #1 I had terrible swelling of feet. With #2 not as much and I attribute it to swimming, which I didn't do with #1.

Does swelling go down for most people after each time swimming or do you need to do it repeatedly?

[Anonymous]

While swelling is associated with preclampsia it does not mean you have it. I have the same symptoms and my blood pressure is beautiful according to my doc. Plus, I don't have any of the other symptoms of preclampsia. I too have been drinking tons of water, walking every chance I get, but yet I'm still swollen in my feet/cankles, and hands. I have tried everything. My doctor said some women just have more amniotic fluid and excess swelling than others. I have found keeping the blood flow going while I am sitting is helpful. I am just hoping it will resolve after I deliver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have the same symptoms and have been drinking tons of water, walking every chance I get, and have low blood pressure but yet I'm still swollen in my feet/cankles, and hands. Has this happened or is happening to anyone else? If so, what else is there to do..besides giving birth?

Yes, I have the same thing. My BP has been low, I drink plenty of water, and I look like I've got elephant ankles. If anything this pregnancy #2 has more swelling than pregnancy #1 (this time I had to take my rings off, last time it was just my ankles). This pregnancy also is giving me some arthritic joint pain in my fingers, something I never had last time around. Sometimes it just comes with the territory, I guess. As long as your doc is ok I wouldn't worry about it; just keep drinking fluids and walking while the weather's still as beautiful as it's been lately! FWIW, as soon as I had my DS the swelling immediately disappeared, fingers crossed for the same this time.

[Anonymous]

In the files of everyone is different, at the end of pregnancy, my swelling got much worse when I didn't walk throughout the day.

[Anonymous]

I'm 36.5 weeks and also walk to work 1.75 miles. Like the PP, I get more swollen when I don't exercise. My doctor said to keep it up, its really good for me and the baby at this stage of the game.